Optimal Placement of Synchrophasor Sensors for Risk Hedging in a Smart Grid

Modern power system with its numerous sophisticated technological integrant constituents and their intricate interconnections is materializing into a smart grid (SG). The phasor measurement units have become indispensable sensors for the real-time monitoring of the SG. In a typical SG, these sensors are deployed at several locations, on the electrical buses for the accurate measurement of time synchronized current and voltage phasors. The time tagged synchrophasor data are then communicated to the phasor data concentrator (PDC) through the synchrophasor sensor communication system (SSCS) for monitoring and control purposes. Risk analysis and the subsequent risk hedging of this system are quintessential to safeguard against cataclysmic botches pertaining to monitoring, control, and protection of the power system. The proposed research presents the framework for the risk assessment of the SSCS and the subsequent optimal placement of the synchrophasor sensors and their communication infrastructure for risk minimization. Another significant aspect of the proposed work is the use of microwave point-to-point links for the transfer of the data from the synchrophasor sensors to the PDC. Communication feasibility is assessed using the digital elevation model data, taking into account the line of sight and communication link availability constraints imposed by the microwave links. Simulation results for the practical power system of India validate the efficacy of the proposed work.